Soccer The Best Soccer Players from Brazil

List Rules Soccer players born in Brazil or played on the Brazilian national team.

These are the greatest Brazilian soccer players of all time according to soccer fans from around the world. It is home to some of the best footballers in the world, with many stars playing for teams all across the various American and European leagues. In fact, the most famous soccer player of all time, Pelé, hails from Brazil. But who else makes it on this list of the greatest Brazilian soccer players? See how fans voted below. If you don’t agree with them, vote for your favorite football stars or rerank the list to your liking. Please no American football players.

Searching to see where a particular player is ranked? Use the search box at the top of the list to find them! In Brazil, soccer is by far the most popular sport, with five FIFA World Cup championships under its belt. It most recently won in 2002, with a team captained by Cafu. However, it was Ronaldo that won Brazil that final, along with a Man of the Match award. So where does Ronaldo rank among the other great Brazilian footballers? Or more importantly, is he as good as or better than Pelé?

You can click on the names of these popular soccer players from Brazil in order to get more information about each one, including a short biography and positions played. If you're a sports lover then you can use this list of the greatest Brazilian soccer players ever to discover some new athletes that you might really enjoy watching.

list ordered by

1

2,537 543

poroporo20 added PeléForward, Midfielder Pele, is almost universally regarded as the greatest player in the history of football. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil, Pele emerged on to the ...more

2

2,417 602

RonaldinhoForward, Midfielder Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Mexican club Querétaro. His main playing position is as an ...more

3

1,337 694

GarrinchaRight Wing, Midfielder Manuel Francisco dos Santos, known by the nickname Garrincha, was a Brazilian footballer who played right winger and forward. He is regarded by many as the best dribbler in football history. The ...more

4

1,178 605

ZicoPlaymaker, Midfielder Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as Zico, is a Brazilian coach and former footballer. Often called the "White Pelé", he was a creative player, gifted with excellent ...more

5

1,985 749

poroporo20 added RonaldoForward Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer. Popularly dubbed "the phenomenon", he is considered by experts and fans to be ...more

6

1,050 503

RomárioForward Romário de Souza Faria, known simply as Romário, is a former Brazilian footballer, manager and current politician. A prolific striker renowned for his clinical finishing, he is ...more

7

1,004 378

BiniamAlaro added Roberto CarlosDefender, Midfielder Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha, more commonly known simply as Roberto Carlos, is a retired Brazilian footballer and current manager of Turkish league club Akhisar Belediyespor. He started his ...more

8

1,272 537

KakáMidfielder Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaká or Ricardo Kaká, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for American club Orlando City ...more

9

814 237

poroporo20 added RivaldoForward, Midfielder Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira, known as Rivaldo, is a Brazilian former professional footballer and the current president of Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube in Brazil. He played mainly as a free ...more

10

657 260

CafuDefender Marcos Evangelista de Morais, known as Cafu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer. He is the most internationally capped male Brazilian player and also made history playing for ...more

11

1,708 697

KyleTurner added NeymarForward Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr., is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona and is the captain for the Brazil ...more

12

502 247

BaruchLalaev added DidiMidfielder Waldyr Pereira, nicknamed Didi, was a Brazilian footballer who played midfielder. He played in three FIFA World Cups, winning the latter two and was named the tournament's best player in 1958. ...more

13

554 205

SócratesForward, Midfielder Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, MD, simply Sócrates, was a Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. His doctorate in medicine and his ...more

14

474 246

BaruchLalaev added Roberto RivelinoMidfielder Roberto Rivellino is a former Brazilian footballer. He was one of the stars of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup winning team. Rivellino currently works as a pundit for Brazilian TV Cultura. The son ...more

15

464 228

JairzinhoMidfielder Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho, is a former association footballer. A quick, powerful winger, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World ...more

16

388 184

Carlos Alberto TorresDefender Carlos Alberto Torres is a former Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time. He captained Brazil national team to victory in the 1970 World Cup, ...more

17

482 257

KyleTurner added Thiago SilvaDefender, Midfielder Thiago Emiliano da Silva, commonly known as Thiago Silva, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national ...more

18

220 96

Tom Šmíd added Paulo Roberto FalcãoMidfielder Paulo Roberto Falcão is a Brazilian head coach and former footballer. He is widely considered one of the best players in Internacional and Roma history, and one of the most talented ...more

19

184 92

Tom Šmíd added TostãoWinger, Forward, Midfielder Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade, aka Tostão, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a forward. He is a medical doctor. In his prime, he was considered one of the best players ...more

20

149 71

GérsonPlaymaker, Midfielder Gérson de Oliveira Nunes, generally known as Gérson, nickname Canhotinha de ouro is an association footballer. He won numerous national trophies with the club sides of Flamengo, ...more

21

307 161

BebetoForward José Roberto Gama de Oliveira, known as 'Bebeto', is a former Brazilian football player who played as a striker. He entered politics in the 2010 Brazilian General Elections and was ...more

22

300 136

Elenel added Philippe CoutinhoMidfielder Philippe Coutinho Correia is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for English club Liverpool and the Brazil national team as an attacking midfielder.

23

128 77

Tom Šmíd added VaváForward Vavá, real name Edvaldo Izídio Neto, was an association footballer who is widely considered one of the best strikers of his generation. His nickname was "Peito de ...more

24

226 139

Leônidas da SilvaForward Leônidas da Silva was an association footballer and commentator. He is regarded as one of the most important players of the first half of the 20th century. Da Silva played for Brazil in ...more

25

261 174

BaruchLalaev added GilmarGoalkeeper

26

172 100

Tom Šmíd added Cláudio TaffarelGoalkeeper Cláudio André Mergen Taffarel is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is the current goalkeeping coach of Galatasaray and the Brazilian national football ...more

27

193 73

ade-setiawan added Marcelo VieiraDefender, Midfielder Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Mainly a left back, he can ...more

28

417 231

Daniel AlvesDefender Daniel Alves da Silva, commonly known as Dani Alves, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Brazilian national team as a right back. Before ...more

29

134 76

30

112 66

Tom Šmíd added Nílton SantosDefender Nílton dos Santos was a Brazilian footballer who primarily played as a wingback. Regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game, Nílton Santos is a member of ...more

31

143 78

Tom Šmíd added DidaGoalkeeper Nélson de Jesus da Silva, better known simply as Dida, is a Brazilian football goalkeeper who plays for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A squad Sport Club Internacional. He first rose ...more

32

152 92

Djalma SantosDefender Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santos known simply as Djalma Santos was a Brazilian footballer who started for the Brazil national team in four World Cups, winning two, in 1958 and 1962. Santos is ...more

33

87 63

Tom Šmíd added ZitoForward, Midfielder José Ely de Miranda, best known as Zito is a former association footballer who played in defensive midfield.

34

118 91

Mário Zagallo Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo is a Brazilian former football player and manager. He was the first footballer to win the World Cup both as a manager and as a player.

35

199 107

MartaForward, Midfielder Marta Vieira da Silva, commonly known as Marta, is a Brazilian football forward who plays for FC Rosengård of the Swedish Damallsvenskan. She is also a member of the Brazil women's ...more

36

122 84

Elenel added Roberto FirminoMidfielder Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira is a Brazilian international footballer who plays professionally for German club 1899 Hoffenheim, as an attacking midfielder. Starting his career with ...more

37

117 81

Elenel added CasemiroMidfielder Carlos Henrique José Francisco Venâncio Casimiro, known as Casemiro, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for FC Porto, on loan from Real Madrid, as a central

38

316 277

David LuizDefender, Midfielder David Luiz Moreira Marinho, known as David Luiz, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain and serves as vice-captain for the Brazil national team. ...more

39

114 80

Elenel added Douglas CostaMidfielder Douglas Costa de Souza, commonly known as Douglas Costa or simply Douglas, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for FC Shakhtar Donetsk as an attacking midfielder. He started his career with ...more

40

110 76

Elenel added Juninho PernambucanoMidfielder Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Jr., commonly known as Juninho or Juninho Pernambucano, is a retired Brazilian footballer. Renowned for his bending free kicks, he is sometimes considered to ...more

41

65 48

Ademir da Guia Ademir da Guia is a retired professional footballer who played during the 1960s and 1970s for Palmeiras, a leading association football team in Brazil, where he is still regarded as one of the ...more

42

208 174

KyleTurner added RobinhoForward, Midfielder Robson de Souza, more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Santos FC on loan from A.C. Milan. He is known for his ball control, attacking ...more

43

54 54

Tom Šmíd added Ademir Marques de MenezesForward Ademir Marques de Menezes, best known as Ademir, was a Brazilian footballer, regarded as one of the best centre forwards in the history of the Brazil national team. His prominent underbite ...more

44

170 139

DungaDefender, Midfielder Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, commonly known as Dunga, is a former Brazilian footballer and a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the current head coach of Brazil. Along ...more

45

66 35

Elenel added AldairDefender Aldair Nascimento dos Santos, known simply as Aldair, is a Brazilian retired footballer who was part of the Brazil national team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He spent the most part of his ...more

46

56 26

Elenel added JorginhoDefender Jorge de Amorim Campos, aka Jorginho, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played mainly as a right defender, and the former manager of Al Wasl. He played in his country for five different ...more

47

62 49

Leovegildo Lins da Gama JúniorDefender, Midfielder Leovegildo Lins da Gama Júnior, known simply as Júnior or Léo Júnior, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was named by ...more

48

81 51

49

65 38

Elenel added Éder Aleixo de AssisForward Éder Aleixo de Assis, was also known as Éder or Éder Assis, is a former Brazilian footballer. He played as a left winger and striker, most notably with Grêmio ...more

50

80 52

Elenel added PaulinhoDefender, Midfielder José Paulo Bezerra Maciel Júnior, commonly known as Paulinho,; born 25 July 1988) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur and the ...more

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List Rules: Soccer players born in Brazil or played on the Brazilian national team.